Well-screen washer



R E K R A P M, H

Oct., 9 1923.

WELL CREEN WASHER Filed Aug, 2e 1920 siding at city of New Orleans, in thepaiish.

Patented Get. 9, 1923.

so sr Y.fr

HENRY MEL-vm rennen, or New ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

WELL-sonnen WAsHEn. Y

Application filedV August 26, '1920. Serial No..AO 6,`06O. y

T 0 @ZZ whom #may concern:

Be 1t 'known that I, Hnnnrflilnnvin PARKER, citizen of the United States, re-

of Orleans and'State 0f Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful improvements in 7Well-Screen l/Vashersgand I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and' exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled Yin the art to which it appertains vto make fandr use the same. p

This' invention relates to the art of cleaning Iwells and Vis intended and more parV ticularly adapted for clearing the inter# stices of. a well-screen from sediment or other solid matter after the screen has been set in the borey o-r well Shaft in the earth.-

n-oil wells it is customary to seta screen in that part of the bore that penetratesithe oil bearing stratum or strata.` The said screen is coupled or connected to the lower Vend of a pipe or casing which projects downward into the bore from the surface of the ground, said screen consisting of .a section of permeable'pipe of suitable construction. `The usualA well screen comprises a` length lof iron or steel pipe having numerous v prevent the iiow of oil into thefinteriorof.

well-distributed holes in its wall,said pipe being spirally'wrapped or wound fwith socalled screen wire, the turnsof which are slightly separated to admit the passage'of iojil 'between them, through the holes in'the pipe from the exterior to the'interior theres of. F rom the interior of the screen the v oil passes upward through the pipe or casing` to the surface of the ground.

The said screen is usually separated Sonie'- what from the bore in which it is positioned.v

But in placing the screen it sometimes -be'- Y cornes clogged from contaetwith the earth# wall ofthe bore; and after use,` the inten stices between the turns of wire, or other in.-

terstices ofthe screen, are likely to become more orle'ss clogged vwith sand, mud or other sediment or solid matter, so as to partly or wholly close the interstiees in the screen, and materially retard' or entirely the screen and pipe or casing.

It is the object of this invention to proVV vide an instrumentality whereby a well screen that is so fclog'ged'with solid materialsV as 'topievent 'the flow of oilthroughnthe screen interstices into the interior thereof may be thoroughly and eifectively cleanedv and freed from said clogging.materials eri-#ieEl'4 With the stated object in view Vthe inv'ention consists in the novel .instru'nfi'entalitgyy vandfin thev construction and arrangement of. its several parts,v as moreparticularly here#l inafter describedand claimed, andL illus# trated in the accompanying drawings".` A`

A `In the drawings Vwherein similar reference Y characters designate` corresponding parts #in l the several views: Y

' Figure l is a, complete improvedxwasher shown in position within elevation of the y aY section jofwell-screen, the screenbeing showninvertical section;

` Figure-2- isy a vertical section through a portion of well-screenY and through a portion fofthe lower endof thewasher. Y" In thesaid 'drawings there ris illustrated a section of well-screenl, which may beof .Y Y

thewire woundtype, .wrapped with screen Y y wire 2. This screen section isvdesigned' to 7 be set in thebore wherethe latter penetratesA the oil bearing stratum, and there is; usu` f ally a spacefbetween the l@arterior vof the screenand the earthy wallr of the bore. N Oil flows from the oil'sand or oil-bearingsurn j y rounding earthinto the bore and thence through the interstices ofthe screen into vthe the'V intersticesv of the.k screen b efkept` open, and free from the sediment'wvhichfrom 'the'nature of the position and use Vofthe screen, becomes-lodged in them.A n

For thejpur'pose of freeing said screen l in'.y the spaces between the fwires '2, .orother in'tersticesV of the screen,vv the yina-proved washer may be lowered to the requisite positionwithinv the'k screen, automatically-seinterior of said screen andthence upward throughthepipeor casing'to` the surface ofy ,the ground Itis obviously essential that from Asand and other solidv matter lodged .95'-

that a flap or any other known-cheek Valve suitable for the purpose may be used. A ball is .iprefera'ble for the reason that superior pressure from below `willv Yforce-the Yball upward through the pipe thus oompletely clearing ,the pipeot all obstructions andrproviding absolutely 'free passage rwfor oil and gas. YThe upper end ofV the vpipe 3 is providedrwith aY means Wiereby it may be coupled Yto Ya length @of Vpipe @adaptedto reach the surface of the ground. It is shown :as ftirealded, "for this purpose, as

At fa p short distaiiee fromeithelower end of: pipe-3 said `pipe is .-enoircledby a `collar 76, which Vis securely :and .tightly :fixed :to

thejpipel Above the 'collar -16 Yon said :pipe

` A iszagrigi-drollar Yorv spring abutmentf? and A I' aboyethefoollar 7 isa'f-slidable sleeve. 8 hawk screen l.

beingsimilarly@secured{toithe efe-eye 8.

ing ea Elimited roa'paoitzy of amor-ement {longitudinally V`ol lthe pipe-:2. In: the illustrated embodiment of Ythe invention f there are 4slots -Slnythefsleeye:andfstuds-l() formed on the pipe; Yengaging saidslots, 'for v:the purpose o-liniitinigitheexteiito'f movement, @although other suitable means"foriaeeoinplishingthat end may beadop'ted :if P desired. lThe f ool lar"`6, iis7 :as `illu strated, :o considerably greater eXternalfdi'aineter :than: the sleeve: 8- nearly as greatas rthe 1 internal ydiameter of `Secured Voi/"erfthe exterorrol the collar fandwsleeveffS is a flexible, tubular, fluid tight ii-ieinher,` 1l, /ot rusto-eonifoal Configuration, the llargerfendfbeing seized Y byvcord 'oravire 12', or Aother-Wise suitably seeured toftlie Collar 6,*1an'd2thesmaller end 'AV coiled Compressionv spring' 13 ferrer-osV its elas- 'Y ticf'foroe'betiveen the'firzed collar ospriug` abutment i7 :andf-theflower: Y Vable 'slee-"efe L, thus ftendin i sleefVe'fB pressed upward toit-he .1A irritted by'ftheV -studs Bfengaged Jin the 'slots 9, and tending Ito' 'keep thefflexible tubu'l kmember ll extended.

fit1theuppe'rlend` off'pipefsection"3): spaced "away from theffthrea'ds', .ais'ra'lizied Collar orations -L @ayafslidable collarV 8@L and `a alleXib-leftubular lluidftight connecting zrmeinber lla, fliel'd stretched longitudinally 1by=a spring, pre eiselyl-i'lre and ycorresponding 'With-Tthe, de scribed parts 6, i8 1 '11,' and their-V acces series, at the lower *end of the pipe 87, eX,-

Cept that the 'said upper and loweljfmeinbers are joppositelyror areversely*'positioned with' rresp'eot.' to eaoh f other, .the/:smaller lends offthegtapering members yll and llatbeng dire'etedltoW-ardfaeaohf-othei'.v Y

Tl.. l'exiblemembers llzfand ,llarfornn it Y will* be f seen lluid tifht r vannular V'chambers around 'thepip e '3 Which .may f be vfilled vfrom said fpip'efthroughr the "openings @15; l'

l yYThef*pipelfseo'tioni3 is provided'avithxperi 'betweenthe itwo f sleeves @8 iand 8 and,VIV at eaoh"end Wthinfthe tubulareilen Vrater inode@ ible members ll and lla, with perforations l5 that are oonsiderably'larger than tle per-r :fora-tions lll. Below the -eolla'rffdandfzabove the *collar'af the-Wallofifpipe 3 isimperto- The hollow flexible members ll and lla` have the Yfunctions'oautomatie internal described. Y

Y `lrhenrtlne `improved Washer described has been lowered to position Within the screen.

pipe l,the threaded fen'df heingcoupled Twith "pipe-that extends to '-tliesurlf'aee .of

the ground, `Water, oil orianyluid auailable and Vsuitable *Flori thefpurpose.- may-she pumped oriotherwise forced into t e pipe-5 from aboife, (heeli' valve lidi seatr pressure fitroin above prevents the `eseape of fluid fromV the.` lou-ier fendi off'the '.pipe; Fluid therefore faoeumulates therein, `:passes tirst outward through :therl'arge orifices P125 s-.Within the fflexible tube ill and expands YVitinto fluid oi ght oonta-Ct Withi. the einiie-ifsurfaee; of the screen pipey l'.b yf.Continuing ,accumulation ot "washing illuid :then emerges laterally through zth eholes'ill Ainfpipe Bfand {lows-out- 'Ward yaga ist :the screen :tending tou/rashv `any sediment lodged'in the .i-nterstiroes:outward Y intothelbore of the' Well. Therwlashingztluid,

as itiscontinuouslyr'forced intorthe pipe 2, ll lling' 1 it Y and rthe fsoreen lalup to the. member vgrapples and packers when Washing fluid visftoroed intothe pipe 3, as Will be presently .under Y A.ight iontaet xwith lll-hen both stioes 'of t-he Well :screen .may applied,

` :into oon- 1 and as lthe lfluid ea'nvfeseape onlygithrough 1 the sereen Y l between theimembers llfand lla theforceieit' theiwashii fluiidffiswloealiaedftand effective. The fluid zandfsed-iinent after lilling Athe 'here :in the earrth esurroundinfg 'the screen l-=lzielow fthe "leiiible pl-ugl1EL Yrises tliio @glV f he'interet-lees:andg-passesup tothe the groundbetween .the fpipe l orlweA easingu ind"theplpeithatsqeoniltedtothe'pipe 3.' I

@When the meii'ibers l l f he` sp sleeves 8,

nd :lila im@ @Olllaot with screen b i3 :are .-.oontiiaeted and he pulledioWard collars16,` 6a.

kter fone :portion co1p4 theesoreeu l Ehaspgb l-en.- cleaned/ fluid `pressure'may be eut .off,.V the springs 13 allowedf to expend, thereby: releasing thefgripof membersllfend 1,1%* from the: interior.` suricra-eefotsoreen andere duoiig l Vniembers to theirfnormalesize. A,The iayv.- be iloweredmitheut rietionfor said fluid then enters ,the .-p-ipe kl f Washing flluidzzexpendslenble VYso .is immediately unseated. Free flow4 of gas andoil is 'then permitted upward through pipe 3 and its connected pipe to the surface of the ground. Thefsprings 13 then collapse VVthe flexible plugs 11 and 1la permitting easy removal vof the washer without interrupting the flow of gas or oil. l

Having'described my invention in Vsuch manner as to enable those skilled inthe art to make andy use the same, what I claim and desire to secure'by Letters Patent is;

1. An instrument of the class described' lconiprisinga pipe, a-hollow expansible memer surrounding said pipe and forming a fluid tight annular chamber betweenfit vand y said pipe, said pipe having the portion surroundedzby saidv expansible memberperforated'pand valve means located atthe lower end of said pipe operative to close against pressure from within and to open responsive tov superior pressurefrom without the pipe.

2. An instrument of the `class described comprising a pipe, a hollow expansible member surrounding said pipe and forming a fluid tight annular chamber between it and said pipe, means for normally elasticallyA contracting said member, said pipe having the portion surrounded by vsaid expansible member perforated and `valve means' located at the lower end of said pipe operative to xclose against'pressure froniwithin and to pipe being' perforated within the Vflexible member and valvemeans located at thev lower end of said pipe operative to close against'pressure from within and to open K outthe pipe.

responsive to superior' pressure from with- 4. In an instrument of the class described,

.a pipe, a hollow frusto-conical flexible membersurrounding said pipe and having its Ylanger end secured to thef pipe, a collar slid` yable on the pipe -above the pointof'attach-` ment of the flexible member and having the smaller end of the exible member secured thereto, spring vmeans operative on said collar to normally contract the flexible member, said pipe being perforated withinthe flexible member. Y

5. In an instrument of the class described, a pipe'7 two .hollow flexible members surroui'idingsaid pipe, said' members being spaced apart andl having :their outermost ends fixedl'y secured tothe pipe, collars slidable on thepipe andV having the inner ends of said tubular members xedly secured thereto, spring means operative -on said col--V larsV to normally force them toward VVeach other to contract the tubular members, said pipe being providedwith perforations with-V in saidtubulalrmembers and "between, the adjacent',endsl of said members. I f i 6. Inv an instrument ofthe class described,

roundingfs'aidpipe, said members, being vveo p Ia pipe, two hollow flexible members surspaced apart andhaving their` outermost ends fixedly secured to the pipe, collars slidable Von the pipe and having'the inner. ends of .saidl tubularmembers fixedlyV se,- cured thereto, springt` means operative on .said collars to normally force them toward each other to contract .the tubular `members,

lsaid. piperbeing provided'with'.lperforations` within said; tubular Vmembers and between the adjacent ends of said members,v and valve means located at the ends of said pipe opera.-V tive to close against!l pressure fromfwithin' andto open responsive to superiorfpressure. from without the pipe. Y

7. In an instrument of the'class described, a pipe, two hollow frustolconicalgflexible f members surrounding .said lpipe and spaced apart, the larger ends ofsaidmembers being farthest apart, collars slidable on the pipe andV having the 'smaller'V andVA adjacent jends of the flexible members each secured to one.

of said collars, spring means opera-tive to draw said collars toward each other-to normally contract the flexible members, pipe being perforated Ywithin .the flexible, members and betweenthe same. 'y .p

8. In lan instrument of the class described, a pipe, two hollow fustro-conical flexible said Y,

members surroundingsaid pipefand spaced if apart, the larger ends of-said members being farthest apart, collars slidable on the pipe and having,rr the smaller and adjacent ends of the flexible members. each secured to one of said collars, Spring mea-ns operative to draw said collars toward each other to normally contract the flexible members, said'. pipe being perforated within the flexible inembers and between the same, andvalve means located at the bottom of the pipe operative to close against pressurefrom within andv to open responsive to superior pressure'from without the pipe.

` 9. In an instrument of the'class described, a pipe, a vslidable sleeve thereon having aV longitudinal slot, apin on the pipe engaging Y hei'sii @1x1-seemed thei'eto Beetle@ eoliens Y in thefslot por limitiii the sliding: movement of: the el eve :in opposite;direetioiisnand preventing ,rotation Athereo'7 e flexible tubular membef he ing one end seemed-fluid tight toV Ythe Slidehle eeeve :and -vthe other end seemed rWit respectfto the pipe in .such mtos to `pievent its-movementtowaids x 12h16; seefveduringexpaneion ofithe tubular memhei; seid pipebeingperifomted to-e 1iiiit fluid -pieesuie f through it `to the Chamber joimed' byl fthe 'tubular'- member. Y

V`l0. In an iiistiuiiieiitothe Glass described eomprisifogapipe, a 1eXib1e:tubular,mem-v 'hv e. (Huid tifrht Y e011- 4 i b.

Shdeele on the pipey and having the other endroit-hetubular mem'- Vheisoumise/f1 thereto .hy-e tluidtight fjoiit,

means atei" limitingdthe 51Min?" movement of the Collar aedfto pieventfits rotation on the imding the. pipe mild ,l having, L' one.

pipe, -eaid pipe. being perforated to pefmit uidipiessure therefrom into the ehamhei- Y f'neotio'n, aeoller slid-able on the pipe m01 having the-otherA-end oit the tubular mem- `1-iei'-;seeiired theretohy e Huid tight joint, ineens for, hiiiiftiiog,thek shdmg movement of Huid p'ieesure `there'from into `the y* chamber forni ed byv the l'eXihle member, ,and tension means teh dig ,rnormally to `'oivee the eollm away from ,the fxet1le1ic1v of Athe iefioie member, to fool! :ipse .the Sletten.

In testimony whereof l atix ,i1 i signature. A 7H.' -ELIN PARKER. y 

